January 22, 2010 - Cardinal Seán Leads Boston Pilgrims to 37th Annual March for Life Rally

Up to the Minute Coverage on www.flickr.com/bostoncatholic 

Braintree, MA -- Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, in Washington, DC for the 37th annual March for Life Rally, said he is pleased and proud of the many pilgrims from Boston “who have joined us this week to share and spread the Gospel of life.”  The annual event draws thousands of people from around the country.  

In his blog posting this past week (www.cardinalseansblog.org), Cardinal Seán said, “As I always say, the March for Life is the second best thing to World Youth Day. There are so many young people there for our young Catholics to feel so affirmed in their faith by the presence of thousands of their peers who are here marching for life, praying and praising God, and receiving the sacraments. It truly is a great grace for the Church in our country and I think a moment when young people really connect with their faith and with the Church community. We are very grateful to all of the parishes and schools who have been promoting trips to Washington for the March for Life.”

Rev. Matt Williams, Director of The Office of New Evangelization for Youth and Young Adults for the Archdiocese said, "This Pilgrimage for Life has been a powerful experience for the young people who have attended. They encounter the power of the Gospel of Life through Word and Sacrament, and in the hearts of joyful witnesses.”  He added that, “Cardinal Seán is deeply committed to having young people get involved in the life issues, especially this pilgrimage, knowing that they have the power to shape the future. I am so happy to say that this year we have over 250 young people going with our office representing three different tracks: middle school, high school and young adults. The great response this year continues to show that young people are hungry for truth, and are awaiting leaders who will make a commitment to mentoring them in the faith.”

"The March is a unique opportunity for people of all ages and faiths to come together in public witness to the sanctity of human life,” said Marianne Luthin, Director, Pro-Life, Respect Life Education & Project Rachel.  “Even though the March is always held in the midwinter cold, people's spirits are upbeat because it's a celebration of life. It's really encouraging to see so many young people here. They recognize that 50 million abortions since Roe V Wade is a social tragedy and they are committed to efforts to support women facing crisis pregnancies or pain from the aftermath of abortion. Their leadership bodes well for the future."

Up to the Minute Coverage from Washington
www.flickr.com/bostoncatholic

Recently, the Archdiocese announced that it had launched a Flickr site dedicated to sharing images showcasing the good works of the Church, offering the community another view into the life of the Cardinal and all those that practice our Catholic faith.

Award winning photojournalist George Martell, Manager of Digital Communications & New Media at the Catholic Foundation, has created the site which is available at www.flickr.com/bostoncatholic.   

George is currently in Washington, DC covering the March for Life Rally and has begun posting images directly to the site directly from his camera as events occur. George is using a mobile Internet connection that will allow his photos to be available online within 30 seconds of them being taken.
 
Fr. Matt noted that, “I am excited that anyone can follow our pilgrimage online through the newly created flickr account."

Media interested in using any of the images from the flickr site must seek the permission of George Martell at 617-779-3705 or at [email protected]. 

About the Archdiocese of Boston: The Diocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of nearly 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 291 parishes, across 144 communities, educating approximately 46,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its pastoral and social service outreach and in support of a health care ministry that meets the needs of some 1 million patients each year.   Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit  www.BostonCatholic.org.